Behind the scenes: Researching our ever-changing Gardens

Katherine Ross has worked as a gardener at The Dartington Hall Trust for four years. She is currently researching the history of the gardens as part of her work, and hopes to bring some of the stories and history to life in her blogs.

When you walk around the Dartington Gardens, do you have that ‘timeless’ feeling? The gardens sit well in the landscape, feel ‘natural’ and mature; it is hard not to believe this is how it has always been.

Collecting information about the gardens came from all directions, in particular Dartington’s archives. Now, there are two access points to the archives: a partial collection found online via the Dartington Online Archive Catalogue, or by visiting the full collection of physical archive papers that are located at the Devon Heritage Centre (Sowton Industrial Estate, Exeter). Most of my research took place in the latter – I spent many hours there, sifting through correspondence between Dorothy and Beatrix Farrand, or working through piles of Percy Cane’s proposed designs.

Visiting the archive is an interesting experience. On arrival, I would pass over my ID and put all valuables in a locker outside the archive room, only entering with a pencil (pens are banned) and laptop. After putting forward a request for the archive, there is a short wait while the archivist collects the document from one of the many back rooms. It is brought to your desk where you can then study, making sure you were in full view of the main desk, so presumably they can check you don’t turn the archive into an origami boat.

Having completed my research, I would like take you on a quick journey through time and give you an idea of just how much the Gardens have changed over the years.

Figure 1: This is an artist’s impression (made in 1957) of the Tiltyard in the 1300s, as a jousting area with terraces going up to the Hall. Picture shows the South Courtyard, which has now disappeared, except for the arches.

Artist’s impression of tiltyard, made in the 1300s. (Click to enlarge)

Figure 2: This is one of George Saunders’ drawings of Dartington Hall Gardens from 1805. The plan shows an ornamental pond in the Tiltyard base, which would help to explain the undated stone drains that are the sole archaeological evidence to survive the Elmhirst’s remodelling in the 1920s.

It was later concluded by Anthony Emery that this plan was never realised as, he argues, ‘it is extremely improbable that any wall would be allowed to terminate against the S.E. corner of the kitchen thereby increasing the liability of danger from fire’.

Drawing of Tiltyard made by George Saunders in 1805. (Click to enlarge)

Figure 3: By 1845, the base of the Tiltyard was divided into two, a Dutch Garden (pictured) and Sunken Garden. Henry Champernowne is credited by his granddaughter in laying out a Dutch garden with the lower part as having “…corner beds with rhododendrons, azaleas etc…in the centre a monkey puzzle planted by his son Arthur at the age of 6”.

Figure 4: On 24 October 1930 the Dutch garden was removed by Dorothy Elmhirst and the level dropped. The profiles were sharpened, from ‘gently undulating slopes’, and work on creating the open air theatre commenced.

Figure 5: In 1954, the open air theatre was removed as the Devon climate was proved unsuitable. The base of the Tiltyard was made level and a gap opened in the Yew hedge for views down the valley. This picture shows piped Herringbone drainage being updated in 2009.

Figure 6: The Pinus radiata, leaning over the base of the Tiltyard, fell over in 2014, after a period of wet weather.

Collapsed Monterey Pine in 2015.

Do note that it is only by the 1840s that we have clear documentary evidence of a terraced garden: firstly in a photograph (Figure 3), and secondly on an 1889 OS map. Archaeologist Christopher Currie suggests that the Tiltyard terraces could have been installed in alignment of the newly planted Castanea sativa on the far side by 1682.

The question mark that hangs over this, and many other mysteries about the garden, can excite and frustrate generations to come.

Katherine

[button link=”https://www.dartington.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Historical-Report-on-Dartingtons-Gardens.pdf” target=”1″ colour=”Dark Green”]Click here to download Katherine’s full Historical Report into Dartington’s Gardens (.pdf, 2MB)[/button].Please note: At large records are extremely detailed through the early to mid-1900s. Otherwise, archived record keeping drops away significantly. The reader should bear this in mind when reviewing the document.

About the Gardens

With a rich sense of history and a host of features to explore – from a Henry Moore sculpture to a yew tree at least 1,500 years old – the gardens at Dartington are often featured in best gardens lists, and are worth exploring all year round.

Concessions: Dartington Members, over 60s, full time students, young people (under 16), unemployed visitors, and DHT employees are all entitled to concessions of varying degrees. Please provide proof of eligibility at time of purchase, or at time of collection.

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This Website is an advertisement for the purposes of Prospectus Rule 3.3 and Article 34 of Commission regulation (EC) No 809/2004 (as amended) and is not a prospectus for the purposes of EU Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended) (the “Directive”) and/or Part VI of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”).

This Website is a financial promotion made by the Dartington Hall Estate Bond PLC (the “Issuer”) and approved by Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP (“BWB”) solely for the purposes of section 21(2)(b) of the FSMA. BWB (incorporated in England No. OC 325522) whose registered office is 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

This Website relates to the Dartington 4.3% fixed rate secured Bonds due 2028 (referred to in this Website as the “Bonds”). A prospectus dated 25 October 2018 (the “Prospectus”) has been prepared and made available to the public in accordance with the Directive.

The proceeds of the Bonds are intended to be loaned to The Dartington Hall Trust (“Dartington”). References to “Dartington” in this document are references to The Dartington Hall Trust.

This Website is not an offer for the subscription or sale of the Bonds and should not be relied on for making any investment decision in relation to the purchase of the Bonds. Any investment decision should be made solely on the basis of a careful review of the Prospectus. Please therefore read the Prospectus carefully before you invest. You should ensure that you understand and accept the risks relating to an investment in the Bonds before making such an investment. Loss of capital is a potential risk when investing, it is important to take this into account when deciding on how much to invest. It is important to note that you may not get back the full amount invested. You should seek your own professional investment, legal and tax advice as to whether an investment in the Bonds is suitable for you.

THE MATERIALS CONTAINED ON THE WEBSITE IS ONLY DIRECTED AT PERSONS WHO ARE LOCATED AND RESIDENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. SUCH MATERIALS ARE NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, INTO OR WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DISTRIBUTE SUCH MATERIALS.

This Website is not for access in the United States of America or by U.S. persons. The Bonds have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Bonds may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States of America or to U.S. persons.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ACCESS TO THIS WEBSITE

ADVERTISEMENT

This Website is an advertisement for the purposes of Prospectus Rule 3.3 and Article 34 of Commission regulation (EC) No 809/2004 (as amended) and is not a prospectus for the purposes of EU Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended) (the “Directive”) and/or Part VI of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”).

This Website is a financial promotion made by the Dartington Hall Estate Bond PLC (the “Issuer”) and approved by Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP (“BWB”) solely for the purposes of section 21(2)(b) of the FSMA. BWB (incorporated in England No. OC 325522) whose registered office is 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

This Website relates to the Dartington 4.3% fixed rate secured Bonds due 2028 (referred to in this Website as the “Bonds”). A prospectus dated 25 October 2018 (the “Prospectus”) has been prepared and made available to the public in accordance with the Directive.

The proceeds of the Bonds are intended to be loaned to The Dartington Hall Trust (“Dartington”). References to “Dartington” in this document are references to The Dartington Hall Trust.

This Website is not an offer for the subscription or sale of the Bonds and should not be relied on for making any investment decision in relation to the purchase of the Bonds. Any investment decision should be made solely on the basis of a careful review of the Prospectus. Please therefore read the Prospectus carefully before you invest. You should ensure that you understand and accept the risks relating to an investment in the Bonds before making such an investment. Loss of capital is a potential risk when investing, it is important to take this into account when deciding on how much to invest. It is important to note that you may not get back the full amount invested. You should seek your own professional investment, legal and tax advice as to whether an investment in the Bonds is suitable for you.

THE MATERIALS CONTAINED ON THE WEBSITE IS ONLY DIRECTED AT PERSONS WHO ARE LOCATED AND RESIDENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. SUCH MATERIALS ARE NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, INTO OR WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DISTRIBUTE SUCH MATERIALS.

This Website is not for access in the United States of America or by U.S. persons. The Bonds have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Bonds may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States of America or to U.S. persons.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ACCESS TO THIS WEBSITE

ADVERTISEMENT

This Website is an advertisement for the purposes of Prospectus Rule 3.3 and Article 34 of Commission regulation (EC) No 809/2004 (as amended) and is not a prospectus for the purposes of EU Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended) (the “Directive”) and/or Part VI of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”).

This Website is a financial promotion made by the Dartington Hall Estate Bond PLC (the “Issuer”) and approved by Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP (“BWB”) solely for the purposes of section 21(2)(b) of the FSMA. BWB (incorporated in England No. OC 325522) whose registered office is 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

This Website relates to the Dartington 4.3% fixed rate secured Bonds due 2028 (referred to in this Website as the “Bonds”). A prospectus dated 25 October 2018 (the “Prospectus”) has been prepared and made available to the public in accordance with the Directive.

The proceeds of the Bonds are intended to be loaned to The Dartington Hall Trust (“Dartington”). References to “Dartington” in this document are references to The Dartington Hall Trust.

This Website is not an offer for the subscription or sale of the Bonds and should not be relied on for making any investment decision in relation to the purchase of the Bonds. Any investment decision should be made solely on the basis of a careful review of the Prospectus. Please therefore read the Prospectus carefully before you invest. You should ensure that you understand and accept the risks relating to an investment in the Bonds before making such an investment. Loss of capital is a potential risk when investing, it is important to take this into account when deciding on how much to invest. It is important to note that you may not get back the full amount invested. You should seek your own professional investment, legal and tax advice as to whether an investment in the Bonds is suitable for you.

THE MATERIALS CONTAINED ON THE WEBSITE IS ONLY DIRECTED AT PERSONS WHO ARE LOCATED AND RESIDENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. SUCH MATERIALS ARE NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, INTO OR WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DISTRIBUTE SUCH MATERIALS.

This Website is not for access in the United States of America or by U.S. persons. The Bonds have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Bonds may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States of America or to U.S. persons.

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ACCESS TO THIS WEBSITE

ADVERTISEMENT

This Website is an advertisement for the purposes of Prospectus Rule 3.3 and Article 34 of Commission regulation (EC) No 809/2004 (as amended) and is not a prospectus for the purposes of EU Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended) (the “Directive”) and/or Part VI of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”).

This Website is a financial promotion made by the Dartington Hall Estate Bond PLC (the “Issuer”) and approved by Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP (“BWB”) solely for the purposes of section 21(2)(b) of the FSMA. BWB (incorporated in England No. OC 325522) whose registered office is 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

This Website relates to the Dartington 4.3% fixed rate secured Bonds due 2028 (referred to in this Website as the “Bonds”). A prospectus dated 25 October 2018 (the “Prospectus”) has been prepared and made available to the public in accordance with the Directive.

The proceeds of the Bonds are intended to be loaned to The Dartington Hall Trust (“Dartington”). References to “Dartington” in this document are references to The Dartington Hall Trust.

This Website is not an offer for the subscription or sale of the Bonds and should not be relied on for making any investment decision in relation to the purchase of the Bonds. Any investment decision should be made solely on the basis of a careful review of the Prospectus. Please therefore read the Prospectus carefully before you invest. You should ensure that you understand and accept the risks relating to an investment in the Bonds before making such an investment. Loss of capital is a potential risk when investing, it is important to take this into account when deciding on how much to invest. It is important to note that you may not get back the full amount invested. You should seek your own professional investment, legal and tax advice as to whether an investment in the Bonds is suitable for you.

THE MATERIALS CONTAINED ON THE WEBSITE IS ONLY DIRECTED AT PERSONS WHO ARE LOCATED AND RESIDENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. SUCH MATERIALS ARE NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, INTO OR WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DISTRIBUTE SUCH MATERIALS.

This Website is not for access in the United States of America or by U.S. persons. The Bonds have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Bonds may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States of America or to U.S. persons.